Well, I got back from Phoenix yesterday and I had a great time. In fact, I came in second in Marksman Class - Stock Service Pistol Division!
The match was 13 Stages and just under 200 rounds. The forecast was for thunderstorms on Saturday but they never materialized. Weather on Sunday was gorgeous.
Here are some pictures:
This is me on Stage 12. The stage had pneumatically activated targets! The shooter started in front of the newspaper box. On the start signal, the box was used for low cover and the two targets (just beyond the barrel in the photo) were engaged from there. After they were engaged, the competitor picked up the phone to dial 911 (phone on top of barrel). Picking up the phone activated two targets that appeared in two windows then disappeared. (I'm engaging them in the photo) From there, the shooter moved forward and engaged two 'tail lights' (simulated by clay birds) of a fleeing car. Finally, the shooter moved forward again to the 'elevator door' and pressed the button. This door would open and exposed two threat targets and then a non-threat between the two was activated and partially blocked the two threat targets. This stage was a lot of fun and I even managed to do quite well on it.
This is me on Stage 7. The scenario had you finding a wallet on the ground. As you were picking it up three 'toughs' demanded you give it to them as well as yours. The shooter engaged the three targets with two rounds in any order while retreating to cover. Once behind cover, the targets were to be re-engaged with two round each in tactical sequence. I swung too wide while moving backward and it cost me time to get to the cover.
This is me on Stage 3. The scenario had the competitor in one of the seats in the 'cockpit' of the airliner. Four terrorists highjacked the plane and one has a bomb strapped to his chest (simulated by a balloon). This was the first priority target but if you shot the 'bomb' you got a DNF on the stage. After that target was engaged successfully, the others were engaged in tactical sequence.
This is me on Stage 2. It's very similar to the first string of Stage 2 of the Classifier except a non-threat target is added into the array. All targets had to be engaged (two rounds each) while advancing.
This is me on Stage 8. The scenario had you ambushed in a parkade and you had to engage the three 'bad guys' from under your car with two rounds each, perform a tactical re-load or re-load with retention and re-engage with two rounds each.
Me on Stage 4. This stage had the shooter engage the first two targets in tactical sequence (1-2-1) then move to low cover to engage three more targets (I'm transitioning to the low cover in the photo). Once they were engaged, there were five more targets to be engaged from the prone position.(you can see the 'bomb' (balloon) from Stage 3 in the background)
Another one for the wall in the den! I also picked up a STI Recoil Master off the prize table. They're worth more than what I paid for the match fee!
While in the area I also checked out the Scottsdale Gun Club. Although a very nice place, I must admit I was a bit 'underwhelmed'. I heard a lot about the place over the years and expected something on a much larger scale......
